Anxious 32 Yr Old Male

HiI am a 32 yr old male. Very actice. My story started a bit differnt than most but my fears seem to be the same as most. i've been on reading this site for months now and there seems to be a lot of good people around here that can help. In fact i have chated with Alonzo who has been great.In Dec 08 my hands and forearms would always ahe, they would also be flush red and ice cold shortly after my feet were also achy. Saw many Dr. who couldnt' figure it out so i started to research myself an yes this was a HUGE mistake. Als of course came up and thats when i started to pacnic and twitch like crazy. Since then I have been living the nightmare. After a few blood tests we noticed that i had a eleveated Rhumatoid Factor. Dr said i had Rhumatoid Arthritus( this was a relief at the time) however after i saw 2 other specialists and more blood work they both said that i don't have RA and can't explain why this antibody is elevated. I fianlly got in with a Neuro in April. He did a clinical exam on me and found no weakness, then he did a EMG that was not conclusive because he said my hands were way too cold. At the end of the appionment he said that i don't have als or ms and thinks it is bfs but to come back if i had stiffness in my arm or problems with swollowing. At that time I was in anti-inflamtories and my forearms did not ache and of course when i left they started to ache again. I wish i had got a clear on the emg cause to see the neuro i have to wait another 2 months. I have a ok understanding of how als works but i am still not over the worry. Thats why i need your guys help. Below are a few questions and concerns. All this has been going on for 8 months now and i am able to lift weights i also play competitive bball and football(flag without major problems). Along with the daily achy hands and twitiching I have the following symtpoms. The rational side of me says that if i had als after 8 months i should have clinical weakness but i have problems convincing myself.Cold sensititivity. Hands get very cold if the weather is cool.Burning feet usually after a walkTingling in hands and feetFace muscles also have started to feel tight and sometimes itchy and twitch and as of last week i seem to have wettness but not druling on the side of my mouth.Here are some questions1 My hands ache and forearms are tight EVERYDYAY. I know stifness is a symptom but not sure if my stiffness is the same.. Can anyone explain what als stiffness is.2My hands have always been thin but I personally believe that there is muscle wasting going on if so should there be weakness as well.3 I have read that ALS "usually" starts in one location. Whatever is going on with me is widespread. How rare is it to be both hands and feet all at the same time or is it even possible.Also From what i know als will usually destroy the limb before it stars on the next one. So i shouldn't feel some weekness in both forearms and now having issues with my face this fast.One thing i should mntion around the same time this all started i started going to a chiropractor for the first time and he was working on my neck (not sure if there is a link).I had my fears under control a little while ago but now all these new symptoms with my face have arrived and that s what has brought me back to square one. Thats why i am here any advise comments wil be appriciated .ThanksBilly
 
Have you looked up Raynaud's Syndrome? The Mayo clinic website has some good basic info. You symptoms sounds similar and it can be an early symptom of RA. I know a little bit about it because my father has it. He has had it for many years and is in his 60s. He still runs many miles a day with my mom as he has since I was born. I'm 37 by the way. I'm not saying this is what you have but it is worth investigating or asking your doctor about it.Krackersones
 
If it were als i would think it would progres much faster and I dont think the emg would be inconclusive. It would be conclusive that you have it. However, you seem to have symptoms other then bfs. I would think that all of them coild be caused by stress alone. Do you struggle with anxiety? I do, and I think half my symptoms if not more are a direct result of that.
 
Thanks for the quick replys. I have looked into Raynaulds but it is ruled out. Blood sugar has been looked at but not circulation. As for anxiety, yes i do have health anxiety. I know realize this. In fact when I talk to my wife regarding my stmptoms she doesn't undersant how I can get a self diagnoses of als from whats going on. She also thinks circulation or anxiety. Based on the above replys you guys might be thinking the same but agian if any of you have this fear you probably understand how it can consume you.As for BFS I think I do have it plus other things. Becuase I do twitch daily all over along with the buzzing feet and even occasional hand tremour. My rational opinion is that all of this is BFS and brought on by anxiety and I also have something else going on but the uncertainty is what is fueling BFS. I'm glad I found this site.Thanks guys,Billy
 
Billy,I think you may have a couple of things going on and none of them are ALS. Now, there is Reynauds Syndrome and Reynauds phenomenon. I think you have the phenomenon which has pretty much all the same symptoms but none of the direct diagnosis. A high RA titre can be due to a great number of things and you should probably see a Pheumatologise for a full work up if you have not already. Next, I do think that you have BFS and some anxiety based on your symptoms. Read my sticky on dents and atrophy...atrophy is not a hmmm does that look strange to you kind of thing...trust me it is very obvious AND it would absolutely come with weakness. I don't believe your neuro was trying to scare you or even sees anything of concern per se but based on the fact that you have some other things here I think he is trying to be cautiously optimistic and on your follow up you will likely get some more in the way of reassurance. In the meantime however I would not worry overly much.Be well,Kit
 

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